Casino Jack ****

In "Casino Jack," lobbyist Jack Abramoff explains his profession: "You can legally give me money for me to give to congressmen." After all, the right of the people to petition the government is in the U.S. Constitution. Abramoff's expansive view of his role extended into some areas that were not constitutional, and in fact led to corruption and much worse, not to mention contravening the ethics rules of his employers. Abramoff's showy lobbying was exactly what buttoned down K Street firms did not want, and he ultimately paid the price for his missteps.

How he got to federal prison is the subject of this movie. It's an intimate look at two years of his personal life (2004 and 2005) and dealings with Indian tribes and casino owners who did not have the savvy of Fortune 500 companies, some of whom vastly overpaid for his services, and his close ties to Tom Delay and other prominent Republicans. Kevin Spacey inhabits this colorful character fully, from the grandiose plans for restaurants and a school, to his penchant for quoting famous lines from movies, in character. Spacey is a whirlwind of spot-on impressions, movement and ideas, always moving to the next thing, but strangely blind to the dangers of talkative associates or skeletons in partners' backgrounds or what it could all do to his family.

The intersection of Republican money politics, Bible study groups, golf, greed, sex, and hubris are all on gaudy display. Some of it is so smarmy you may feel ill, but some of it is so funny you will laugh out loud. (The corruption investigation ultimately led to the conviction of two White House officials, a Representative, and nine other lobbyists and Congressional aides.)

Spacy is the burning core of "Casino Jack," but supporting players are very good, a sure indication of quality direction by George Hickenlooper in this which was, tragically, his last movie. He died in Denver in October 2010 at age 47 from a heart attack, in town to receive recognition for his work and this film at the Starz Denver Film Festival.

Rated R. 108 minutes. George Hickenlooper - Director, Norman Snider - Writer, Gary Howsam - Producer, Bill Marks - Producer, George Zakk - Producer, Adam Swica - Cinematographer, Jonathan Goldsmithy - Composer, Matthew Davies - Production Designer,William Steinkamp - Editor. Distirbuted in the U.S. by ATO Pictures.

Principal actors: Kevin Spacey, Barry Pepper, Jon Lovitz, Kelly Preston.